This edition was prepared by David Fraser — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Farewell false Love
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Farewell false Love by William Byrd — Lyrics
Farewell false love, the oracle of lies,
a mortall foe, & enimie to rest:
An envious boy, from whom all cares arise,
A bastard vile, a beast, with rage possest:
A way of error, a temple full of treason,
in all effects contrarie unto reason.
A poisoned serpent covered all with flowers,
Mother of sighes, and murtherer of repose,
A sea of sorows from whence are drawen such showers,
As moisture lend to every griefe that growes,
A schole of guile, a net of deepe deceit,
A guilded hooke that holds a poisoned baite.
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About Farewell false Love
William Byrd's Farewell false Love is a secular part-song for SATTB voices. It explores the destructive nature of false love, vividly portraying it as a source of lies, unrest, and deceit. The text uses a series of powerful metaphors, likening love to a poisoned serpent, a sea of sorrows, and a siren song, emphasizing its deceptive beauty and the misery it brings. Byrd's setting likely captures the intensity of these emotions through rich vocal harmonies, typical of English Renaissance polyphony. The complex vocal writing offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for an accomplished choir, making it a compelling choice for programming.
